The Library of Congress has officially unveiled its latest collection of “defining sounds of history” to be preserved in the National Recording Registry. This year’s prestigious list of inductees highlights a diverse array of audio treasures, ranging from pop anthems to influential alternative rock albums, all recognized for their lasting cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance to the American sound heritage.

Among the notable additions to the registry are Beyoncé’s infectious hit “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” Taylor Swift’s pop masterpiece 1989, and Weezer’s seminal 1994 debut, commonly known as The Blue Album. These records join a storied list of inductees that includes Chaka Khan’s iconic version of Prince’s “I Feel For You,” the Go-Go’s groundbreaking Beauty and the Beat, and the influential “Your Love” remix by Jamie Principle and Frankie Knuckles. Gladys Knight and the Pips also earned a spot for their classic “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

Robert R. Newlen, the acting librarian of Congress, emphasized the importance of these selections, describing them as “audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time.”

Reflecting on the honor, Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go’s shared her excitement with the Library of Congress, noting, “It’ll be great 100 years from now when someone is doing their research and they see The Go-Go’s in there.” Her bandmate Jane Wiedlin highlighted the group’s legacy, stating, “I don’t know that there is a better feeling than knowing that women are raising their daughters and playing them The Go-Go’s. As far as The Go-Go’s legacy, the biggest accomplishment is that we broke the glass ceiling.”

Chaka Khan also expressed her gratitude, reflecting on the collaborative nature of her hit “I Feel for You.” She remarked, “For the Library of Congress to say this recording belongs in the permanent collection of American sound heritage, that means it wasn’t just a hit, it was history. And I am so very grateful to have been part of it.”

2026 National Recording Registry Inductees

The full list of recordings selected for preservation in 2026 includes:

• Spike Jones and His City Slickers: “Cocktails for Two” (1944)
• Pérez Prado and His Orchestra: “Mambo No. 5” (1950)
• Ruth Brown: “Teardrops From My Eyes” (1950)
• Kaye Ballard: “Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)” (1954)
• Paul Anka: “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” (1959)
• Oliver Nelson: The Blues and the Abstract Truth (1961)
• Ray Charles: Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (1962)
• The Byrds: “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” (1965)
• The Winstons: “Amen, Brother” (1969)
• José Feliciano: “Feliz Navidad” (1970)
• “The Fight of the Century: Ali vs. Frazier” (1971)
• Gladys Knight and the Pips: “Midnight Train to Georgia” (1973)
• Chicago Original Cast Album (1975)
• The Charlie Daniels Band: “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (1979)
• The Go-Go’s: Beauty and the Beat (1981)
• Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble: Texas Flood (1983)
• Chaka Khan: “I Feel for You” (1984)
• Jamie Principle and Frankie Knuckles: “Your Love” (1986/1987)
• Reba McEntire: Rumor Has It (1990)
• Rosanne Cash: The Wheel (1993)
• Bobby Prince: Doom Soundtrack (1993)
• Vince Gill: “Go Rest High on That Mountain” (1994)
• Weezer: Weezer (The Blue Album) (1994)
• Beyoncé: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
• Taylor Swift: 1989 (2014)